Missing you, Blanche Devereaux

Posted on by Alli Marshall

You may already know that actress Rue McClanahan — perhaps best known for her role as Blanche Devereaux on the Golden Girls — passed away earlier this week. What you may not know is that the sassy, storied McClanahan (who suffered a stroke on June 3) visited Asheville just three years ago.

In May, 2007, McClanahan stopped off at Malaprop’s while on tour for her book My First Five Husbands … And the Ones Who Got Away. “I wondered if, in fact, this was going to be some horrible dark, cruel joke life was going to play on me: Just load me down with talent, but never allow me to express it,” she admitted to Xpress. And about pursuing a career in the arts: “I’m not going to advise anyone to hang in there … It’s too terribly difficult and sometimes the rewards aren’t worth it.”

At the time of her visit to Asheville, McClanahan had a musical in the works. She said, “I still haven’t done what I set out to do, which was become a true artist on the stage. I’d like to be called upon to do important plays.” Read the story here.

Watch a retrospective of the actress here.

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About Alli Marshall
Alli Marshall has lived in Asheville for more than 20 years and loves live music, visual art, fiction and friendly dogs. She is the winner of the 2016 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize and the author of the novel "How to Talk to Rockstars," published by Logosophia Books. Follow me @alli_marshall
View all posts by Alli Marshall →

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6 thoughts on “Missing you, Blanche Devereaux”

  1. Sarah

    I will miss Ms. McClanahan. She showed us that being sexy doesn’t have an age limit.

    May she turn a few heads in heaven.

    Love you Rue.

  2. Stewart David

    She rocked! There’s a really nice tribute to her and the work she did on behalf of animals at
    http://blog.peta.org/archives/2010/06/rue_mcclanahan.php

    She was very funny. This is from the tribute:

    But my favorite memory of Rue was when we traveled to New Mexico, where she helped push through legislation to outlaw cockfighting. When a reporter asked if there would be any naked protesters, she just smiled and replied, “It’s not that kind of cockfight.”

  3. Bradshaw

    This has just been a terrible year for our beloved belles. First to lose Dixie Carter and now Rue McClanahan. We will sorely miss them. XOXOXOXOXOX Rue.

  4. L. W.

    I will miss Ms. Rue terribly. I loved her as Blanche on Golden Girls. She was very funny and beautiful.. RIP………

  5. Betty Cloer Wallace

    “…..the work she did on behalf of animals…”

    The animals are thankful, Stewart, but please tell us more. Don’t be bashful. Don’t leave us hanging……..

    “…..my favorite memory of Rue was when we traveled to New Mexico…..”

    You and Rue traveling together? I am trying to imagine it.

    Rue was truly golden.

  6. Stewart David

    Betty,

    I didn’t travel with Rue, although I did meet her once. I posted from a tribute written by Dan Mathews. Click on the link in my post above if you want to read it.

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